AFL 2026 Recap: West Coast Eagles fail to fire as Carlton make it six straight wins

Eagles get it forward and it’s locked inside 50.

Jake Waterman still without a goal or mark in this game with Harry Dean doing a superb job.

Harley Reid caught holding the ball as he tries to burst through on goal and Carlton reset.

West Coast falls asleep in the final moments allowing Francis Evans to sit in a whole and take a largely uncontested mark despite Starcevich’s late attempt.

However, he misses again as the margin sits at 36 points.

The Eagles had the better of the first half of that quarter, lifting their pressure but couldn’t capitalise.

They still had their chances but some poor decision making really hurt them going inside 50 and in the end the Blues finsih the quarter with a bigger advantage.

Cripps and Walsh still dominating this game while Jack Graham has been good on return for the Eagles with 17 touches.

Breaks through the Eagles defensive line and handballs to Cripps who centres to Francis Evans but he misses the set shot.

Walsh having a monster day with 27 touches and three clearances, Brady Hough ran with him in the first half but has moved on to Jagga Smith this term.

Loose ball in the Eagles’ forward pocket but Tom Cole is stripped of it, and Jake Waterman and Jack Graham can’t prevent the Blues from bursting through with numbers.

Harry McKay is all alone running toward goal and boots it in from the suqare to make it a 34 point gmae.

CAR 12.9 (81) WCE 7.5 (47)

A touch unfortunate for Duff-Tytler as Byrne loses control of the ball and turns back into the Eagles run who cops him high he can’t stop in time.

The Eagles had seven isnide 50s this quarter but have only managed 2.1 from their entries as the Blues efficienty comes to the fore as Byrne converts.

CAR 11.9 (75) WCE 7.5 (47)

The Eagles have lifted the pressure this quarter but he cops Cerra late to give away a downfield free kick and give McKay a shot on goal.

It’s not been a great day for the Eagle on return from injury.

CAR 10.8 (68) WCE 7.5 (47)

Marc Pittonet gives away a blocking free kick, it’s probably a harsh call with the throw in falling short not helping.

But Williams as the shot on the 45 and it swings by to cut the margin back to 21 points.

Better from the Eagles this quarter.

CAR 10.7 (67) WCE 7.4 (46)

Yeo and Reid combine to win the clearance and get the Eagles forward.

Carlton defend after Reid gives away a free for a high tackle but the Eagles reload through Liam Duggan.

It’s a bit of chaos inside the Eagles 50 but Milan Murdock gets enough space to pick up the loose ball and snap through the goal from just outside the square.

CAR 10.7 (67) WCE 6.4 (40)

West Coast are probably lucky to be 32 points down which goes to show you how well they’ve gone.

After a hot start Harley Reid had no impact that quarter while Patrick Cripps is up to 19 touches and four clearances.

Eagles are also going at under 70 per cent disposal efficiency, which doesn’t help when you’ve had 100 less possessions.

For the Blues Talor Byrne has been the beneficiary of the mountain of ball inside 50 with three goals, while Sam Walsh has 20 touches.

Jagga Smith has seven clearances and 15 touches while Duursma has seven touches and a goal in the Rising Star battle.

Not sure the Eagles look up to the task of turning this one around but we’ll see if McQuatler can fire up the troops.

The top nine possession getters on the ground are all Carlton, with Ryan Maric and Jack Graham the only Eagles in double digits

Brady Hough off all people stops the rot with his second goal but there hasn’t been much to suggest the Eagles can prevent a deluge.

CAR 10.6 (66) WCE 5.4 (34)